Faked Injury to Collect Workers Comp Payments
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office reports that a former California Highway Patrol Officer is accused of faking an injury to collect workers compensation payments.
The DA’s office recently filed felony workers comp insurance fraud and attempted perjury charges against former officer Brian Christopher Hansen, 30.
Stated False Physical Restrictions in Sworn Deposition
The complaint alleges that between Nov. 14, 2008 and Oct. 1, 2011, Hansen made numerous false statements to various doctors, investigators and in a sworn deposition regarding the extent of his physical disabilities caused by an on-duty injury to his back. [Wcx]
Hansen stated that because of pain from his back injury, he could only drive for short periods of time, could not sit for more than 30 minutes, could not pick up items weighing more than 10 pounds, and was so restricted in his physical abilities that he could not even perform limited office duties.
Used Surveillance to Prove Case
The CHP’s Office of Internal Affairs Workers Compensation Insurance Fraud Investigation Unit opened a case against Hansen. Videotaped surveillance showed him driving for hours at a time, moving furniture when he changed residences, bending over and picking up items weighing more than 30 pounds, and engaging in everyday activities with no signs of any physical limitations, the DA’s office said.
According to the DA’s office, “By falsely misrepresenting the extent of his physical disability, Hansen received several thousands of dollars in disability benefit payments to which he was not entitled.” [Wcx]
Hansen graduated from the CHP Academy in 2007 and left the department this January. The Redding native worked for the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office before joining the CHP
Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: [email protected].
WORKERS COMP MANAGEMENT MANUAL: www.WCManual.com
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers comp issues.
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